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Often we take on projects that require
direction — tasks such as assembling a filing cabinet or building a model
airplane. Sometimes, written directions accompany the project. But even
the best directions don't always lead to an accomplished goal. Without
exception, the best method is first to see someone work through all of the
steps firsthand.
The same is true for life — it is helpful to
see it modeled. And I am convinced that modeling the conviction that the
gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:6) will inevitably
have an extraordinary effect on the people around you. We see a profound
example of this in Luke’s account of Pentecost in Acts 1 and 2.
Scripture tells us that after Jesus ascended
to heaven, His disciples returned to Jerusalem. One day, suddenly filled
with the Spirit, the disciples began to speak in many languages and were
understood by the people of other lands living in Jerusalem. And when
Peter imparted the news of Christ with the thousands gathered there, the
results were phenomenal. Three thousand people were baptized that day!
When persecution against the church followed, Christians scattered
throughout the Roman Empire, carrying with them Peter's model of how to
share the gospel. And the same gospel that Peter and the early Christians
shared with the thousands that day still holds the same power unto
salvation today.
Several years ago in England, a well known
pastor name Dr. Francis Dickson a member of his congregation, Peter, to
share his testimony.
"I was in the Royal Navy and was walking down
George Street in Sydney, Australia," Peter began. "When out of
nowhere stepped a little, gray-haired man. He said, "Excuse me sir, but
could I ask you a question? I hope it won't offend, but if you were to die
today, where would you spend eternity? The Bible says it will either be
heaven or in hell. Would you think about that, please? Thank you. God
bless you. Tootle-loo."
Peter continued, "The man left. I had never
been confronted with that question. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I
came back to London, sought out a pastor and was converted to Christ."
Several weeks later, a man named Noel was
asked to share his testimony. Noel stood and said, "I was walking down
George Street in Sydney, Australia. Out of nowhere stepped a little,
gray-haired man, who said, "Excuse me sir, but could I ask you a question?
If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity?" Noel explained
that he, too, couldn't get the question out of his mind and eventually was
converted to Christ.
Over the next year, Dr. Dickson traveled and
spoke throughout the world. In each location, he shared the remarkable
stories. When he finished, individuals rushed over exclaiming, "Dr.
Dickson, I'm another! I was walking down George Street ... . " At a
conference in India, no sooner had he shared the story when a woman came
up and said, "Dr. Dickson, I'm another!" She finished, "...I was converted
to Christ and am now a missionary." In Jamaica, Dr. Dickson heard the same
thing.
Dr. Dickson knew he must go to Sydney,
Australia. When Dr. Dickson arrived in Sydney, he sought out a friend and
asked if he knew the little, gray-haired man on George Street? Dr.
Dickson's friend exclaimed, "Why of course! Everyone knows him. Why,
that's Mr. Jenner. He did that for 23 years. He's elderly now, and
sick. He sees little, and is confined to his bed." Dr. Dickson asked
to meet Mr. Jenner, and was taken to his bedside. He introduced himself
and shared all of the stories. The gray-haired man started to weep.
Finally, he spoke. "Sir, this is the first time I have ever known of
anybody coming to Christ through my witness."
Over the years, I have shared this story of
Dr. Dickson and Mr. Jenner. A woman approached me after hearing the
story and said, "I'm another!" Peter from England had led her to
Christ. Then, a businessman stopped me in the Atlanta airport and said,
"I'm another. Fifteen years ago, Mr. Jenner confronted me with the gospel
as well." Mr. Jenner never knew he had been used by Christ to change
lives. And yet, for 23 years, he shared the gospel with everyone he met on
George Street. Talk about conviction! That man was not ashamed of the
gospel of Jesus Christ and that conviction—modeled for 23 years—has
profoundly affected my life.
Let me challenge you with this question: Are
you living out your belief that the gospel transforms lives? Do your
family, your friends, and your coworkers see you modeling that belief? Ask
God to use you in the way He used Mr. Jenner. It will change your life,
and it will profoundly affect the lives of others.
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